Merit Scholars PROgram

Norfolk Collegiate has a proud tradition of well-rounded student-scholars who demonstrate initiative, integrity and determination. To recognize exceptional students coming into the school, we have established the Norfolk Collegiate Merit Scholar program, which awards two merit-based scholarships for 50 percent off tuition to incoming ninth-grade students who are first-time applicants to Norfolk Collegiate.

To become a Norfolk Collegiate Merit Scholar, a new student must demonstrate exceptional intelligence, character and academic promise, and the student must be willing to share his or her talents to enrich the Norfolk Collegiate community through enthusiastic participation and leadership in the performing or fine arts, athletics, service, citizenship or our other extracurricular offerings.

Scholarships are competitive, and interested and motivated applicants will be invited to submit an additional essay and undergo a personal interview. Two finalists will be awarded scholarships, which can be renewed annually provided recipients maintain standards of excellence determined by the school.

Merit Scholars FAQs

Q. Who is eligible for to apply to be a Norfolk Collegiate Merit Scholar?A. Students must be new (first-time applicants) to Norfolk Collegiate, applying in eighth grade for their ninth-grade year.

Q. Are current Norfolk Collegiate students eligible for this award?A. No. At this time, current Norfolk Collegiate eighth-grade students returning for grade nine are not eligible to become a Merit Scholar. All students, new and returning, are encouraged to apply for Norfolk Collegiate's need-based financial aid program annually.

Q. Are students who previously attended Norfolk Collegiate, withdrew for a period of time and are re-applying for grade nine eligible for this award?A. No. To be eligible for the Merit Scholars program, students must be first-time applicants to Norfolk Collegiate.

Q. Outside of the application process, is additional testing required?A. Yes. Merit Scholar applicants must take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) between August and January of the applicants' eighth-grade year. For your convenience, this test is administered by Norfolk Collegiate. Test dates may be scheduled with the admissions office.

Q. How many awards are given?A. Two new awards are given each year to incoming freshmen. Awards are renewable through the students' senior year at Norfolk Collegiate.

Q. Who selects Merit Scholars?A. The Merit Scholars committee consists of the following Norfolk Collegiate staff: Director of Enrollment, the Head of Upper School, and up to two members of the upper school admissions committee; the Head of School may participate ex-officio with veto power.

Q. How are Merit Scholars selected?A. Following receipt of the application package, writing sample and interview, the committee considers an applicant’s academic performance, character, citizenship, leadership skills and other areas of demonstrated, significant merit.

Q. Is financial need a factor in selecting the Norfolk Collegiate Merit Scholars?A. No. The Merit Scholar award is "need blind" - all students meeting the application requirements and demonstrating exceptional merit, regardless of financial need, are eligible for selection. All students are encouraged to apply for Norfolk Collegiate's need-based financial aid program.